A Guide to Bike Locks

Biking is back. With the cost of gas on the rise, and traffic unbearable, more and more people are using bicycles to get to and from work, over to the grocery store, and, of course, purely as a recreational joy. But with the increase in biking, there has also been an increase in bike theft. Luckily, keeping your bicycle safe requires only a one-time purchase. Bike locks come in all shapes and sizes and range in price from twenty to nearly one hundred dollars. There are literally too many to choose from. But navigating the world of bike locks can be easy if you follow these tips.

Bike locks come in primarily two different basic models: U-locks and chains. Chain bike locks come in two different variations, woven cable and chain link. Woven cable is definitely the cheapest type of bike locks. They are usually under forty dollars and are pretty light and easy to use and transport. However, they are also the easiest to break. Yes, the majority of bike theft is from not using locks or using them improperly. That said, veteran bike thieves will chuckle at your attempt at safe-guarding your bicycle with a woven cable lock as they clip through them with industrial strength bolt cutters.

You can presume your bike is pretty safe if you get U-lock or chain link bike locks. Again, price is the concern. Generally speaking, the more you pay for the bike locks, the better the material and stronger the steel of the bike locks. The stronger the steel, the more difficult it is to cut through and steal your bike. Both those on the U-lock and the chain-link side claim their style is more effective, but it's essentially a wash. Both kinds of bike locks will protect you. That said, you can safely spend under eighty dollars and from a reputable company to be most assured that your lock will do its job.

Finally, as mentioned above, the key to preventing bike theft generally rests with correct bike lock usage. It might seem silly, but make sure you read the accompanying manual to make sure you understand how your lock works. Also, make sure you give the locking and unlocking a couple of practice tries in your driveway or parking lot before attempting it on the road. New bike locks are like any other new tool - it takes a short while to get yourself comfortable to use it. Of course, when locking your bike, you should be locking both the front and the rear wheel (by detaching the front wheel) and the bike frame to an unmovable object. If unsure about which direction to go, the employees at your local cycling shop are likely well-informed with both rave reviews and bad bike locks horror stories to help guide you.